Saudi probe into Khashoggi killing 'lacks credibility'

By Sena Guler

ANKARA (AA) - Amnesty International on Thursday said the Saudi investigation into killing of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi “lacks credibility.”

“#SaudiArabia has an appalling human rights track record. Their investigation into the killing of #JamalKhashoggi lacks credibility. A @UN investigation is needed so that those who are responsible are held accountable and face justice,” said Amnesty in a series of tweets.

Welcoming Turkey’s call for an international probe into the slain Saudi journalist case, it said: “#Turkey must request that the UN sets an investigation now.”

“Saudi prosecutor demands death penalty for 5 suspects in #JamalKhashoggi murder after sham inquiry. We need a credible investigation to establish facts & ensure those responsible are brought to justice in fair trials with no death penalty,” it added.

Earlier, the Kingdom’s chief prosecutor announced his intention to call for the death penalty against anyone found guilty of ordering and carrying out the journalist’s murder.

The Saudi Public Prosecution said the order to kill Khashoggi had come from the head of a team tasked by the Saudi leadership with negotiating with the journalist.

Amnesty said that Thursday’s outcome of Khashoggi case was “not trustworthy.”

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said his country considered last month’s murder of Khashoggi as a “crime” and a “big mistake”.

Khashoggi, a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, was killed on Oct. 2 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

After weeks of denying any involvement in the crime, Saudi Arabia later admitted that Khashoggi had been killed inside the consulate but claimed the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge of any plot to murder the journalist.